MHLW requests action from businesses handling aluminum sodium dioxide

Japan recently discovered sodium aluminate dioxide (CAS number: 1302-42-7) in some imported goods that included sodium aluminate (CAS number: 11138-49-1). According to an announcement dated 19 July 2023, from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in accordance with the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law (PDSCL), manufacturer, or marketers of items proven to contain aluminium sodium dioxide are required to register as poisonous and deleterious substance operators by 31 October 2023.

On 1 July 2018, the MHLW announced sodium aluminate dioxide as a deleterious substance under the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law (PDSCL). If a company engages in products containing sodium aluminate, they must notify the MHLW and are subject to requirements such as registration, provision of safety data sheets (SDSs), proper labelling and packaging. With these measures, the use of items containing sodium aluminate dioxide will be regulated in order to protect public health and the environment.

The government will continue to strengthen the regulation of deleterious substances to ensure that chemicals are used properly and handled safely.